Arson suspected in early morning hedge fires

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A fireman attends to the hedge damaged in Burke Road, Malvern East. A similar fire broke out nearby less than 20 minutes later.Photo:Jason South

Arsonists are believed to have caused fires that damaged two hedges within a kilometre of each other in Melbourne's south-east early yesterday.

Firefighters were called to a blaze in Burke Road, Malvern East, about 4am after a hedge believed to be up to 100 years old was set alight.

Less than 20 minutes later, a woman and her baby were lucky to escape a similar fire in Queens Road, Caulfield East.

Metropolitan Fire Brigade commander Darren Davies said firefighters had to act quickly to prevent the fires from spreading to houses, and the Burke Road blaze brought down powerlines.

"Hedge fires burn very, very intensely and the heat can catch on to houses very quickly, so firefighters had to get in between the hedge and the (Burke Road) house to prevent it from spreading," Commander Davies said.

A man who was asleep in his family's Burke Road home about 10 metres from the hedge said he was woken by crackling and saw 20-metre-high flames.

"It doesn't take much for hedges to burn because there's a lot of fuel, so it it was pretty scary considering how close it was to the house," said Simon, who did not want his surname published.

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"I can't understand why anyone would do this. It might be a cheap thrill to them but it's very disappointing for us, considering the amount of work that goes into maintaining it."

His mother, Julie, said the hedge had been damaged in an arson attack 12 years ago.

Police were treating the fires as suspicious and urged anyone with information to call CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.